Charlotte, NC -- (Sports Network) - Paul Pierce led a balanced attack with 19 points, and the Boston Celtics edged the Charlotte Bobcats, 89-84, for their eighth consecutive win.

Kendrick Perkins scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who have beaten the Bobcats three straight times. Ray Allen added 15 points, while Tony Allen contributed 11. Eddie House and Kevin Garnett each scored 10 points in the victory as the defending NBA champions moved their record to 16-2.

"The great players can miss 15 in a row, and they really believe the odds are changing to their way," Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said about Pierce. "The average player misses 15 in a row, and he hides under the bench. That's what makes Paul, Paul."

Gerald Wallace scored 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting for the Bobcats, who have lost two of three. Jason Richardson added 22 points for Charlotte, while D.J. Augustin posted 13 points and five assists.

"I was proud of the effort because (the Celtics) are a special team," said Bobcats head coach Larry Brown. "But you can't have a game like this and have so many empty possessions."

Down 66-62 headed into the fourth, Wallace's layup for Charlotte with five minutes to play tied the game at 75, but Pierce's turnaround jumper put Boston back in front. Wallace was able get to the basket again, driving past Garnett for an easy layup, but the defense allowed Perkins an easy dunk to make it 79-77 in favor of the Celtics.

After Boston took a four-point lead, Augustin's three with two minutes to play brought the Bobcats to within one. Charlotte had a chance to tie with just under a minute, but Raymond Felton's jumper was off the mark. Garnett sank a jumper on the ensuing possession for Boston, and Felton missed two layup opportunities on the next offensive set for Charlotte, handing the victory to the Celtics.

The Bobcats jumped out to a 12-4 lead early behind six points from Richardson. Charlotte led from wire-to-wire in the first quarter and held a 22-17 edge after the opening frame.

Boston used an 11-0 run in the middle of the second quarter to take a five- point lead at 39-34, but Charlotte kept it close, as the Celtics went into the break up 45-43.

Neither team could come up with a good offensive stretch in the third, and Boston went into the final quarter with a four-point advantage.

Game Notes

Boston had scored 100 points in each of its previous three games...Celtics guard Rajon Rondo had four points and nine assists...Twelve of the last 16 meetings between the clubs have been decided by nine points or less...Boston won last year's season series, 3-1...Charlotte center Emeka Okafor had nine points and seven rebounds...Wallace had eight rebounds.